The Case for High Speed Rail: Chicago to the Twin Cities

Revolutionizing Midwest Travel: Connecting the Twin Cities and Chicago in Just 3 Hours

Jan 06, 2025

∙ Paid

It’s May of 2024, and the much-studied Borealis rail service launches its lone daily trip between Chicago and St. Paul. With five cars pulled by a single diesel engine, it covers the 411-mile journey in a sluggish 7 hours and 20 minutes—an average of just 56 miles per hour.

A map showing the route of the Amtrak Borealis service, connecting Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Twin Cities (St. Paul and Minneapolis). Key stops along the route include Glenview, Milwaukee Airport, Milwaukee, Columbus, Portage, Wisconsin Dells, Tomah, La Crosse, Winona, Red Wing, and St. Paul. The route primarily runs through Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, with markers distinguishing major metropolitan city stations (colored) and smaller intermediate city stations. Interstates I-90 and I-94 are shown, indicating their proximity to the rail corridor. — Amtrak Borealis route map (MnDOT)

Yet, despite its slow speed and limited service,…

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